Rhine Christmas Markets with Switzerland

Start your journey in Zurich, where you’ll check in to your luxurious hotel for an overnight stay.  

Today, set off on a walking tour with a local guide. Zurich is one of the world’s great walking cities, with many pedestrian-only streets and historic bridges.   Afterwards, depart for Lucerne. With its backdrop of snow-topped mountain ranges, Lucerne encapsulates a traditional Swiss city. Take a guided tour of the city, touching on its delightful waterfront promenades and colourful buildings. Later, enjoy free time to explore Lucerne’s Christmas Markets.  Arrive this afternoon in the Swiss capital of Bern. Set on the River Aare, Bern is World Heritage-listed for its medieval heritage. Enjoy a tour of this delightful city and visit Bear Park, home to a family of bears that have lived along the riverbank since 1857.

Ascend the Swiss Alps to the charming alpine village of Gstaad. Known as a premier ski resort, enjoy a brief orientation tour of the village, followed by some free time to relax and enjoy lunch at your own pace.   This afternoon you’ll arrive at Montreux. Located on the shores of picturesque Lake Geneva, it’s the ideal place to relax or to explore the jazz culture that still lives in the palace.

This morning, explore the mesmerising town of Montreux on your own or perhaps relax in your hotel and enjoy the amenities. For lunch, a quintessential Swiss experience awaits you. Enrich Train ride and fondue lunch: Delight in a panoramic train journey to Château-d’Oex. Upon arrival you’ll view traditional cheese-making at the Restaurant Le Chalet. The restaurant makes its own cheese, and in your private demonstration, the cheese maker will transform milk into hard cheese right in front of your eyes. Afterwards, enjoy a free afternoon to explore the Montreux Christmas Markets. 

Depart Montreux after breakfast bound for Basel. There, a walking tour will reveal the highlights of the city. See spectacular views of the Rhine as well as the Basel Minster and City Hall. Afterwards, enjoy free time to discover the city’s famous Christmas Markets, said to be some of the prettiest and largest in Switzerland. Then embark  your Scenic Space-Ship for your ultra-luxury European river cruise, taking with you some wonderful memories of Switzerland.

Take the morning to enjoy the luxuries of your Scenic Space-Ship. Perhaps enjoy coffee in your suite, delivered by your personal butler, followed by breakfast in Crystal Dining.  You’ll arrive in Breisach, a charming town on the Rhine, this afternoon.   Freechoice: Enjoy local festivities with the following Scenic Freechoice options: Guided tour of Colmar with Christmas Markets: Take a tour of Colmar, the cultural centre of the Alsace region. You’ll stroll medieval lanes lined with delightful Christmas markets and absorb the confluence of French and German architecture. After your tour, enjoy free time at the markets. Guided tour of Freiburg Christmas with Markets: Located on the edge of the Black Forest, Freiburg is a picturesque city. Enjoy a guided walking tour to see the 13th Century Freiburg Cathedral, which survived WWII bombings.

This morning you will wake up in the city of Kehl, the gateway to Strasbourg. Strasbourg is located on the border of France and Germany, making it a unique mixture of both French and German architecture and culture.    Join your local guide on a walking tour of Strasbourg. After your guided tour you have free time to explore the magical markets. Strasbourg has some of the largest and most popular Christmas markets in Europe with the town squares and pedestrian zone coming alive with festive cheer.

You will arrive in Mannheim early this morning. Known as a ‘chessboard city’ for its methodical grid of streets, it is also the home of some of the world’s most brilliant engineering minds, including Carl Benz, founder of Mercedes-Benz. Freechoice: Today you can choose from  a selection of Scenic Freechoice on offer: Orientation tour of Heidelberg with free time: From Mannheim, you will transfer by coach to Heidelberg. Enjoy a brief walking tour of Heidelberg, including the old town, and then enjoy ample free time to explore on your own. Historical tour of Heidelberg: As well as a guided tour of Heidelberg, this option includes a visit to Heidelberg Castle, one of the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Explore the courtyard, the balcony that offers an incredible view over the Old Town and view the great Heidelberg Tun, the world’s largest Wine Barrel located in the castle’s Cellar. Enrich Private classical concert at Bruchsal Palace: Enjoy a private evening concert at Bruchsal Palace. Be greeted at the Palace with a welcome drink before witnessing the grandeur of the theatre room and taking in a fabulous classical concert. Your memorable performance will feature accomplished musicians and a soloist.

This morning you’ll arrive in Rüdesheim, a pretty town surrounded by steep vineyards that have been cultivating wine for a staggering two millennia.  Take a mini- train from the pier to Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, where some 350 musical instruments from the 18th and 19th century play themselves for your enjoyment. You will have time to wander through this beautiful town before returning to your Scenic Space-Ship.

At dawn, your Scenic Space-Ship will cruise the Rhine Gorge, one of the most picturesque regions on this journey. After sailing past spectacular vineyards and ancient castles, you’ll arrive in Cologne, known for its laidback lifestyle, auto industry and the largest Christmas tree in the Rhineland.   Take the time to discover Cologne on a walking tour. Visit the citys centrepiece and icon, Cologne Cathedral, and its magnificent Christmas Markets, where local vendeors sell delicious treats and decorations.  Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart after dinner, allowing you plenty of time to be immersed in the tastes and scents of Christmas.

Early this morning you’ll arrive in  Düsseldorf. The city comes alive during the Christmas season with lively markets, festive music and the scent of mulled wine sweetening the air. The Old Town is brimming with festive revelers and the famed Konigsallee is lined with traditional market stalls.  Enjoy a walking tour of Düsseldorf with a local guide. Discover traditions of the festive season before free time to explore the city’s Christmas markets.

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be transferred from your final port of Amsterdam to the airport for your onward or homebound flight. Please book your flight to depart after 8:00 AM. This itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons such as high and low water. As such, the cruise may operate altered from what is stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions. ^Massage/spa treatments at additional cost.